Bio

Born in 1986 on Tarut Island, Saudi Arabia, Alif is a sculptor and contemporary calligrapher whose work gives physical form to the emotional weight of language. From his island studio, he sculpts Arabic calligraphy, primarily in wood and stone, into elegant expressions of love, memory, and the timeless human desire to connect.

His breakthrough series, Soul Nutrients (2020 – 2022), solidified his reputation by showcasing the full depth of his technical and conceptual range, leading to significant institutional recognition, commissions, and exhibitions.

Alif received the Art Marathon Prize from the General Entertainment Authority in 2019. Since then, he has been a featured artist at Ithra, exhibited at venues such as the Aramco Art Hall in Khobar, and participated in the Tuwaiq Sculpture Symposium. His public art also contributes to Riyadh’s transformation into an open-air gallery aligned with Saudi Vision 2030.

Beyond his own practice, Alif has trained over 150 emerging artists in both knife carving and power tools sculpting, passing on the intimacy of craft and helping shape a new generation of sculptors in Saudi Arabia.

Resume

Selected exhibitions:

2026 Solo Exhibition, Riyadh, Saudi [upcoming]
2025 Downtown Design (Joint Exhibition), SARMD, Riyadh, Saudi
2025 From Now to Then (Sculpting Symposium), Riyadh, Saudi
2024 Art Riyadh (Group Exhibition), Nayla gallery, Riyadh, Saudi
2022 Eastern calligraphers (Group Exhibition), Desert Designs gallery, Al-Khobar, Saudi
2021 Tanween (Featured Artist), Ithra, Dhahran, Saudi
2019 East Art (Group Exhibition), Aramco cultural center, Dhahran, Saudi

Awards & grants:

2024 Tanween (Grant), Ithra – Maker Society, Dhahran, Saudi
2020 Maan (Grant), Athr Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi
2019 Art Marathon (Winner), General Entertainment Authority, Dammam, Saudi
2014 City Graffiti (Grant), Ministry of Tourism, Tarut, Saudi